With a throng of scouts watching the Jays in Kansas City, there's a good chance deals will be done

KANSAS CITY - The Blue Jays may be hanging around the .500 mark in fourth place.

Yet, they still have the ability to draw a crowd.

Of scouts.

Besides the Kansas City Royals fans to see the Jays-Royals opener Monday night at beautiful Kauffman Stadium, there were plenty of talent evaluators.

And plenty of trade talk, with 11 days remaining until the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

The Monday night lineup of tire kickers:

- Jeff Wetherby, Detroit Tigers pro scout.

The Tigers are looking for catching help and the Jays could sell high by moving all-star John Buck.

- Steve Peck, Boston Red Sox major-league scout.

The Sox have shown interest in lefty reliever Scott Downs for most of this month. Plus, a more serious need has arisen with Boston, which has been using Kevin Cash and Dusty Brown behind the palte. Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek are both sidelined with injuries. Boston is trying to obtain hot-hitting backup Chris Iannetta from the Colorado Rockies, but the Rockies are in a race of their own and want immediate help, which the depleted Sox can't provide.

- Kevin Reese, New York Yankees pro scout.

With Andy Pettitte suffering a groin injury the Yanks have moved right-hander reliever Sergio Mitre into the rotation and will be looking for help either by adding a starter or a reliever. Closer Kevin Gregg is also available.

- Bob Hegman, Minnesota Twins major-league scout.

The Twins have been without closer Joe Nathan for the season. Jon Rauch has converted 20 of 24 saves. Jason Frasor, Gregg or Downs could be added help before the deadline for the Twins bullpen.

- Charlie Kerfeld, the Philadelphia Phillies super scout.

The Phillies need bullpen help as well. Kerfeld watched the Jays' three-game series in Baltimore and came to K.C. The last time a scout followed the Jays to successive cities was Atlanta Braves' Jim Fregosi, who picked up the Jays in Philadelphia and followed them to Cleveland. And last Thursday, the Braves sent shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Jays for Alex Gonzalez.

The Cincinnati Reds, who also need help behind the plate and would be interested in Buck, had Jeff Taylor in Baltimore on the weekend.

"I've heard a little trade talk a year ago," Buck said. "But I wasn't playing that much."

This time around he has less than one week off an all-star first half.

"Players kind of get numb to trade talk after a while, you can't control it," Buck said. "I guess it's a win-win situation."

Win, as in he stays put with the Jays and continues his season.

Or win, as in he moves on to a club in contention for a post-season spot.

The perfect storm for general manager Alex Anthopoulos would be to have both the Red Sox and the Yankees wanting the same player. Some Yankees people doubt they'll be able to pull off a deal with the Jays as the Jays' asking price was too high in talks this winter on Roy Halladay and others.

It's early, three games into the Escobar era, but some have been raving about the Jays new shortstop.

"He made a heck of a play Friday and then Sunday he went behind second and threw sidearm off balance," Buck said. "I said: 'whoaaaa,' that will play."

First base coach Omar Malave sat in with Anthopoulos and manager Cito Gaston when Escobar was introduced to his new employers Thursday in Baltimore to translate.

"He seems like he's a nice kid," Malave said. "He's here to do his work. He's looking for help. He made it clear that this is a new beginning for him."

Monday was Game 4 of Escobar's new beginning.

Only Anthopoulos knows how many games left all of the other Jays, including Jose Bautista, have before the trade deadline.